Packaging apparatus



March 17, 1959 J. F. CURRIVAN 2877614 PACKAGING APPARATUS Filed May l, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 17, 1959 J. F. CURRIVAN PACKAGING APPARATUS 5 SheetS-Sheet 3 Filed May 1, 1957 ATTORNEY5 March 17, 1959 J. F. CURRIVAN PACKAGING APPARATUS Filed May 1, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheel: 4

AT'TORNEY3 March 1959 J. F. CURRIVAN PACKAGING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May l, 1957 lllllllll v I l l l llllllfl\l ATTORNEY5 United States Patent O PACKAGING APPARATUS John F. Currivan, Old Saybrook, Conn., assignor to Carton Associates Incorporated, Louisville, Ky., a corporation of Delaware Applicatlon May 1, 1957, Serial N0. 656,358

10 Claims. (C1. 53-240) This invention relates to packaging machines and more particularly to such machines for erecting and loading sleeve type cartons in a rapid continuous process.

Certain aspects of the invention are of broad utility and general application in the packaging field. Hewever, for present purposes the invention will be disclosed in connection with the automatic erection of open ended sleeve cartons and the loading of such cartons with cylindrical cans such as beer cans.

The cartons which the apparatns of the present invention is particularly adapted to handle are disclosed and claimed in copending application Serial N0. 619,735, filed November l, 1956. These cartons are open ended sleeves which are delivered to the packaging machine folded flat and pre-glued. T assure retention of the cans within the cartons the cartons are provided with locking cnt'-outs along their upper and lower corner edges and locking tabs at their opposite ends. The locking cut-outs achieve their desired locking effect only if the interior dimensions of the carton (both height and width) are less than the corresponding dimensions of the can group which comprise the contents of the carton. Prior to the present invention such cartons were processed in semi-autornatic or fully automatic carton machines which wrapped the carton blanks around a group of cans usually six and glued or otherwise fastened together the everlapping ends of the carton blank. In either case the mechanism for wrapping the carton blanks around the can group and for securing the overlapping ends of the carton blank together is complex, expansive and bnlky and limits the capacity of the packaging machine.

Regardless of the nature of the packaging apparatus it is diflicult to obtain and maintain the desired tight wrap. This is particularly true if the overlapping ends of the carton blank are glued together. In this case, the glue lap must be held in tightly assexnbled relation until the glue sets firmly by moving the carton between pressure applying belts over a distance as long as forty or fifty feet. lt has been generally recognized that the difi1culties encountered with wrapping the carton blank tightly around the can group and maintaining the tight Wrap after the ends of the carton blank were secured .together could be eliminated by loading the cans in the pre-glued cartons. However, it has also been generally recognized that this loading technique was not feasible because cf the fact that the interior dimensions of the end of the pre-glued carton through which the cans must be loaded is less than the dimensions of the can group.

It is accordingly the principal purpose and object of the present invention to provide novel packaging apparatus for automatically loading cans and 1ike containers into pre-glued open-ended cartons.

In accordance with the present invention this primary objective is obtained by the provision of apparatus for automatically erecting the pre-glued folded cartons and transporting them past one or more loading stations. The apparatus of the present invention also includes at each loading station means for inserting two or more of 2877614 Palented Mal. 17, 1959 the cans or like containers into the open end of the carton in staggered relation. In the particular example disclosed herein in which six cans are loaded into the carton, the cans being finally arranged in two rows of three cans each, three such loading stations are provided, the apparatus at each loading station being eifective to load two cans into the carton. After the third loading station, six cans are arranged in the carton in staggered relation. The cartons carrying the six cans are then caused t0 traverse a final loading or aligning station where the staggered cans are smoothly moved into directly opposite side-by-side relation to complete the loading operation.

lt is accordingly a further object of the invention to provide improved automatic apparatus for loading cans into open ended sleeve type cartons which, despite its relatively simplified construction, produces a tighter pack than heretofore possible, increases the capacity of a machine occupying a given space, and substantially decreases the cost of the loading operation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide improved magazines for the folded cartons which permits stacking the cartons at any desired height.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide improved means for positively and rapidly erecting sleeve type cartons.

lt is also an object of the present invention to provide improved apparatus for moving the locking tabs which are provided at each end of the carton into locking position after the carton is fully loaded.

Additional objects and advantages will becorne apparent as the description proceeds in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a typical embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus of Figure l;

Figure 3 is an enlarged side elevation cf the magazine and a portion of the carton erecting mechanism;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a typical carton which the apparatus of the present invention is particularly adapted to handle;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of a portion of the carton feeding mechanism;

Figure 6 is an enla1'ged top plan view of a portion of the carton erecting mechanism;

Fignre 7 is a side elevation of an element of the carton loading apparatus;

Figure 8 is a top plan view of one of the carton loading wheels;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a portion of the everall apparatus of the invention;

Figure 10 is a front elevation of the mechanism for moving the carton locking tabs into locking position;

Figure 11 is a side elevation of the mechanismof Figure 10; and

Figure 12 is a top plan view of a modified form of the invention.

In the illustrated embodirnents, the apparatus of the invention loads six cylindrical chimed cans such as beer cans into an open ended carton in two rows of three cans each, with the cans of one row directly opposite the cans of the other row.

The principal components of the packaging machine are the hopper or magazine indicated generally at 20, the carton feeding mechanism indicated generally at 22, the carton erecting mechanism indicated generally at 24, the carton transporting mechanism indicated generally at 26, the can feeding and loading mechanism indicated generally at 28, the carton loading mechanism indicated generally at 30, and the carton locking mechanism indicated generally at 32, all cf which are compactly arranged on a cornmon machine frame indicated generally at 34 and all of which, with the exception of the -hopper,

ward to the position shown.

are operated in synchronism by a common drive mechanism as explained in detail below.

The hopper or magazine assernbly comprises four vertically extending angle irons 35 which are fiared outwardly slightly at their upper ends and at their lower ends are welded or otherwise suitably secured to horizontal angle irons 36 suitably secured to the machine frame. T provide additional rigidity to the structure additional upper straps 38 are secured to the corner members 35. The corner members 35 are so arranged and spaced as to form a vertically extending chute, the inner dimensions of which are slightly larger than the dimensions of the folded carton. In the past the capacity of such magazines or hoppers has been limited because 01 the fast that the weight of even a moderately high stack of cartons interferes With the positive feeding operation of the cartons 'from the lower end of the stack. This limitation has necessitated frequent loading of the hopper and the substantially constant attendance of an operator. It is an important feature of the present inventi0n to provide means for overcoming this defect of the prior structures and to permit the cartons to be stacked in a hopper o1 magazine to a height which is determined only by space limitations.

This mechanism Will be described With particular reference to Figures 1 and 3. As there shown a plurality of rollers 40 are interposed in the path of the edges of the cartons Within the magazine at various points along the height of the magazine. 'I'he rollers are rotatanly mounted on support members 42 which are adjustably secured by bolts 44 to cross bars 46 welded or otherwise suitably secured to the corner members 35 of the magazine. The openings in the members 42 through which the bolts 44 extend are elongated to permit shifting of rollers 40 into and out of the path of the carton edges as desired. As shown in Figure 2 the rollers 40 are preferably arranged in pairs, two 011 each of the bars 46 and the bars are arranged in offset relation along the freut and rear edges of the magazine. The rollers 40 effectively divicle the cartons positioned within the magazine into separate groups and support a substantial por- .tion of the weight of the upper groups so that regardless cf the number cartons in the magazine the load on the lowermost cartons never exceeds a value which prevents easy and positive rernoval of the lowermost carton frorn the magazine. For purposes of illustration the separation of the carton groups is greatly exaggerated in Figure 3. If desired, beveled bars may be used in lieu of the rollers 40.

As stated above a typical carton wlzich the subject packaging apparatus is particularly adapted to handle is disclosed and claimed in copending application Serial N0. 619,735. This carton is illustrated in Figure 4 to which detailed reference will now be made.

The carton indicated generally at 48 is preferably formed from a Single blank and comprises a bottom Wall panel 50, side wall panels 52 and 54, and top Wall panels 58 and 56, the latter overlying the former and the overlapped surfaces of the panels 56 and 58 being glued together. Locking tab formations 60 and 62 are provided at the opposite ends of the top wall of the -carton which comprise tabs which are disposed in the plane of the upper wall panels until after the carton is loaded, at which time they are pushed vertically down- Small locking tabs 64 and 66 are also provided adjacent the opposite ends of the bottorn carton panel 50 which are also normally disposed in the plane of the panel 58 until the carton is fully loaded, at which time they are pushed upwardly about respective fold lines 68 and 70. Also provided in the top wall panel are finger grip tabs 72 and 74 which,

after the carton is loaded, are pushed downwardly about respective fold lines 76 and 78. The side Wall panels 52 and 54 are each provided With three cut-outs 80 along their lower edges and three similar cut-outs along their upper edges. The tabs 82 formed by the cut-outs are disposed on the plane of the top and bottom Wall panels when the carton is erected as shown. When the carton is loaded the chimes at the upper and lower ends of the cans project through the cut-outs to assist in locking the cans in a loaded position. T0 facilitate the erecting operation as explained in detail below the bottom panel 50 is provided with a circular cutout 84 and the end edges of the side wall panels 52 and 54 are each cut away as at 86. When the cartons are placed in the magazine 20 they are folded flat about the corner line joining the bottom panel 50 and the side wall panel 52 and the comer line joining the side wall panel 54 and the top wall panel 58 and the exposed edge of the top Wall panel 56 facing toward the right as viewed in Figures 2 and 3.

Referring again particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 3 the cartons are supported for movement from one end of the apparatus to the other on three strips and 92 and 94 which also extend along the under surface of the magazine 26. The strips 96 and 94 are cut away as at 95 and 96 to permit the operation of a portion of the feeding apparatus. This latter mechanism includes three pairs cf feeding fingers 98 attached to chains 100 carried on pairs of sprockets 102 and 104 which are mounted at opposite sides of the machine frame by any suitable rneans. The two sprockets 102 are driven at the same speed by conventional drive mechanisms also not shown. Each of the fingers 98 is provided at its forward edge with a notch 106, the lower horizontal surface of which slides under the lowermost carton in the magazine 20 and the rear vertical edge of which is adapted to engage the carton adjacent the end of the carton. T0 assure the proper positioning of the feed fingers 98 hold-down rollers 108 are mounted adjacent the rear edge of the magazine 29 Which force the leading edge of the fingers downwardly to the position shown in Figure 3. Thereafter a pin 110 projecting from the side of each of the fingers engages the undersurface of the side plates 112 to retain the fingers in their desired position. Thus, as the fingers 98 rogress from right to left as viewed in Figure 3 along the upper span of the chain 100, they force the lowermost carton out of the lower and of the magazine 213 under spring mounted hold down rollers 114 mounted at the opposite sides of the forward side of the magazine. In order to reduce the possibility of impact damage to the rear edge of the carton two sets of helper fingers 116 are provided and are mounted on hubs 118 which are mounted on a shaft 119 which is mounted and driven by any suitable means not shown in such a manner that the fingers engage the rear edge of the carton between the locking tabs 82 simultaneously with the engagement of the outer ends of the carton by the two fingers 98.

The lowermost carton is advanced to the left as viewed in Figure 3 by the two fingers 98 until the front edge olf the carton engages the rear surface of the adjacent pairs of transport fingers .120. The transport fingers are mounten] at suitably spaced intervals 011 chains 122 Which pass arouncl sprockets 124 and similar sprockets at the opposite end of the machine and are driven in synchronism with the remaining components of the feeding and loading mechanisms by conventional drive means not shown. As best shown in Figure 2 the fingers project upwardly through the spaces between the strips 913, 92 and 94 and are spaced laterally so that they engage the rear edge of the carton between the locking tabs 82 and are spaced longitudinally of the machine a distance substantially exactly equal to the width of the erected carton to firrnly hold the cartons in erected position during the loading operation.

Immediately after the trailing edge of the carton has passed under the rollers 114 it is released by the feeding fingers 98 and engaged by the transport fingers 120 which immediately thereafter begin to move the trailing edge of the carton upwardly and to the left as shown in Figure 3. A lifting finger 126 and two lifting fingers 128 and hold down rollers 130 are provided to assist in opening the cartons. The single lifting finger 126 and the two lifting fingers 128 are pivotally mounted at their lower ends on one end of a lever 132 which is in turn pivotally supported 011 a mount 134 rigidly secured to the machine frame 34. The opposite end cf the lever 132 carries a cam follower 136 which is periodieally actuated by a cam 138 also mounted on the machine frame 134 and driven from the main drive mechanisrn, not shown, in synchronism with the remaining components of the mechanism. The cam 138 has a sharp rise so that the lifting finger 126 and the two lifting fingers 128 are rnoved upwardly rapidly with essentially a snap action. The lifting fingcrs 128 pass through openings in guide blocks 140 mounted on the machine frame which direct the upper end of the fingers through the cut-outs 86 in the carton side panel 54 into contact with the under surface of the top Wall panel. The lifting finger rod 126 is located substantially in the center of the machine and asses through an opening in a guide block 142 which directs the upper end of the finger through the opening 84 in the bottom carton panel 50 into contact with the inner surface of the side wall panel 52. When the lifting fingers 126 and 128 are actuated the marginal edges of the bottom carton panel 50 by a tension spring 152 which disposes the roller 130 in normal operating position as shown. However they move ireely except for the resistance of the spring 152, in the direction of motion of the carton and are cammed out of the way by the rear carton panel 54 as the cartons pass the rollers.

During the entire opening operation the corner of the carton between the top wall panel and the rear side wall panel 54 rides along the undersurface of a curved guide bar 154 to further confine the carton and assure positive opening action.

lt has been found in practice that the apparatus just described is elfective to assure positive opening and erecting of the cartons even if the corner lines are imperfectly formed or the upper panels of the folded carton are inadvertently glued in spots to the lower carton panels.

As best shown in Figure 1 a portion of the guide bar 154 extencls across the tops of the cartons during the entire loading operation. The guide bar 154 is mounted by blocks 156 on a frame structure 158 which is mounted vby hinges at 160 to vertical support members 162 secured 110 the side of the main machine frame 34. A handle 164 is provided on the frarne structure 158 so that the latter may be swung away from the cartons to permit clearing the machine or inspection. When the guide bar 154 is in place as shown the ereeted cartons are completely coufined between the strips 90, 92 and 94 and the guide bar and between adjacent pairs cf the transport fingers 120. A retainer strip 165 is mounted on the machine frarne in a position to engage the adjacent end edges of the carton. Accordingly each of the cartons is positively held at all times during the loading operation against vertical, longitudinal or lateral shifting movement and is positively anaintained With the side walls exactly perpendicular to Figure 1, are of less height than the height of the cans being handlecl and are secured to the main machine frame by brackets at a suflicient height above the top of the machine bed so that they engage only the portions of the cans between the chimes. The cans are moved toward the three loading stations indicated generally at 172, 174 and 176 by platform conveyor chains 178 and 180 driven by any suitable means. While the speed of the chains 178 and 180 is not critical preferably their surface speed is substantially greater than the speed cf the moving cans so that the cans are urged into close contact with one another. 1t is an irnportant feature of the invention that the cans are fed into the packaging apparatus at a metered rate. For this purpose a pair of superposed metering wheels 182 are mounted on a driven shaft 184 in a position to engage the upper and lower chimes of each of the entering cans. Six can engaging pockets 186 are formed in the periphery of each of the metering wheels 182 so that one complete revolution cf the wheels permits the passage of six cans which is the contents cf one of the cartons toward the loading stations. All other components of the apparatus are accurately timed to the rotation of shaft 184. For example it is necessary that one carton be fed frorn the magazine and erected during one rotation of the shaft 184 and that two of the cans be inserted into the carton at each of the loading stations in each revolution of the shaft 184. While this timing is essential to the successful operation of the invention nevertheless it is accornplished by standard gear, chain, and belt drives which are in all respects conventional and are not believed to require detailed description.

After the cans pass the metering wheels 182 they are delivered by the conveyor belts 178 and 180 to a simplified dividing mechanism which divides the cans into three rows, each row being delivered subsequently to one cf the loading stations.

As best shown in Figure 2, the strip 166 which forms one wall of the entrance chute continues in a substantially straight line toward the first loading station where it is bent at right angles and terminates at a point slightly spaced from the adjacent end of the cartons. The opposite strip 168 is bent outwardly away from the strip 166 until it is spaced slightly more than the width of three side-by-side cans and thereafter extends in a direction generally parallel with the strip 166. The straight portion 190 merges into an inclined portion 192 which extends toward the loading station which in turn merges into a section 194 extending parallel With a longitudinal axis of the cartons and terminating at a point adjacent the open end of the cartons.

Divider plates 196 and 198 are suspendecl by brackets 200 and 202 from a diagonally disposed overhead cross member 203 mounted by suitable support members 206 and 208 secured to the main machine frame. The divider plates 196 and 198 are so positioned between the strip sections 166 and 190 as to divide the space into three equal channels, each of the channels having a width slightly greater than the width of the cans. It will also be noted that the leading edge of the divider plate 198 is ol1set with respect to the le.ading edge of divider plate 196 a distance slightly less than the diameter of two of the cans. A chute strip 204 is secured to the rear edge of the divider plate 196 at one end and at its opposite end is provided with an angled portion 206 which extends parallel with the longitudinal axis of the carton and is secured by a bracket 208 to the machine frame adjacent the ends of the cartons. A similar chute strip 210 is secured to the rear edge of the divider panel 198 at one end and is secured at its opposite end by a bracket 212 to the machine frame. The chute for delivering the cans to the first loading station is completed hy an additional strip 214 which is mounted at one end o n the machine frame by a bracket 216 and at its opposite end merges smoothly into the adjacent -surface cf the strip member 204. A similar strip member 218 completes the chute assembly for delivering the cans to the second loading station and is secured at one and to the machine frame by a bracket 202 and at its opposite and merges smoothly into the strip 210.

The assage of the cans out of the individual chutes at the three loading stations is controlled by feeding wheels positioned on each of the chutes. At the first loading station two identical feecling wheels 220 (one shown) are mounted 011 a shaft 222, above and below the strip 214 in a position to engage the upper and lower chimes of the can. Bach of the wheels 220 is provided with two feecling pockets 223 and 224. The snaft 222 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 2 by convcntional drive mechanism (not shown) at the same speed as the shaft 184 so that in each revolution of the metering wheels 182 two cans are delivered by the feeding wheels 220.

An identical feeding mechanism is provided at the second loading station including upper and lower feeding wheels 225 (one shown) and a drive shaft 226 for comtrolling the passage of cans through the ahnte formed between the strip sections 206 am? 218. The same coustruction including the npper and lower feeding wheels 223 (one shown) and the drive shaft 230 are also provided at the thircl loading station to control the passage of cans through the chute 190 formed by the strip sections 194 and 210. Additional upper and lower feed wheels 232 (one shown) are mounted 011 a shaft 234 opposite the wheels 228. The wheels 232 are identical to the wheels 228 but are mounted revers:ely on the shaft 234 so that the feecling action is effected by rotation cf the shaft 234 by conventional reversing gears, not shown, in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 2. If desired, opposed wheel Sets similar to those employed at tl1e third station may be employed at the first and second stations to assure positive feeding particularly at high speeds.

The loading mechanism is initially readied for operatin by filling the several chntes between the metering wheels 182 and the feed wheels 220, 225, 228 and 232 with cans. This may be accomplished by operating the mechanism slowly while the chutes are blocked just ahead of the feed wheels by gates 235 which may be swung into or out of the chutes. Other manually operated blocking means may also be used. When the cans leave the metering wheel 182 they tend to pass into the chute formed between the strips 166 and 204. However since the chute can accept on1y one-third of tl1e cans delivered by the metering wheel 182 the excess cans roll 0ver the forward edge of the divider plate 196 and into the chute formed between the strips 204 and 218. The remaining excess cans roll over the forward edge of the second divider plate 198 and into the ahnte formecl between the outer strip and the strip 210. It has been found in actual use that this divicler mechanism, which does not require any moving parts, eifectively divides the cans as required at substantially any desired speed. After the chutes have been filled the gates 235 are successively removed from the first, second and third loading stations. Thereafter because of the timed rotation of the metering wheels and the feed wheels the chutes remain full.

The passage cf the erected cartons from right to left as viewed in Figure 2 is so timed With the rotation of the feed wheels that the latter each make one complete revolution during the time when corresponding points on three successive cartons pass the outer terminal ends of each of the chutes. Thus themechanism at each of the loading stations is effective to Ioad two cans into tl3e carton. At the first loading station 172, for example, the first can is pushed into the carton adjacent the front side Wall panel 52. The second can then enters the carton. Because of the fact that the width of the open end of the cart'on is somewhat 1ess than the width of two cans side-by-side the loading of the second can urges the first can farther into the carton. This action is accomplished stnoothly and the two cans tend to rotate as gears. That is, the leading can tencls to rotate in a Counterclockwisa direction cf the carton and the following can tends to rotate in a clockwise direction. When the carton leaves the first loading station 172 the two cans are disposed therein substantially as shown at L with the second can projecting slightly out of the open end of. the carton. The second two cans are loaded at the loading station 174 with a smooth rolling action and when the carton leaves the second loading station the cans appear substantially as indicatecl generally at L in Figure 2. Finally when tl1e carton leaves the third loading station 176 the six cans are disposed in the carton substantially as shown at L the cans being arranged in ofiset relation and the last can to be loaded projecting slightly outwardly of the end of the carton. Since the cans are arranged in ofiset relation the widtn of the can group is substantially reduced, and the forces required to load the cartons and the forces imposecl on the carton are relatively small. A retaining strip 236 which is faced with a strip 238 of Teilen or similar material having a low coeificient of frietion is mounted midway of the height of the cans at the rear side of the machine to hold the cans against movement out of the rearward and of the cartons. The loading of tl1e. cartons is completed by the interaction of the backup strip 238 and a Wheel 240 mounted on a shaft 242 which is rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 2 by the main drive mechanism not shown. The outer periphery of the wheel 240 is covered by a strip 244 of rubber or similar material which engages the last loaded can midway of its height and smoothly rolls the cans into their final osition in which the upper and lower chimes of each of the cans project through the locking cut-outs provided in the carton. Preferably the peripheral speed of the roller 240 is greater than the advancing speed of the cartons. Thus when the wheel engages the projecting can it tencls to rotate it in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 2 so the cans are rolled smoothly into final position.

As stated above the pre-glued cartons when erected are 015 slightly less height than the height of the cans. It is a feature of the invention that the problem posed by this condition is solved with self-operating mechanism 015 extremely simple construction.

This mechanism shown separately in Figure 7 comprises a blade 246 secured to a collar 248 rotatably journalled on a shaft 250 projecting from a collar 252 journalied on a post 254 suitabiy secured to the top of tl1e machine frame. A spring 256 is coiled around the member 254 and securecl at its opposite ends to a fitting 258 non-rotatably secured to the top of the member 254 and to the collar 252 which urges the latter in a. munter clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 2. The blade is constantly urged toward a substantially vertical position by a light tension spring 259. As best shown in Figure 2 the blade 246 is mounted directly in the path of the upper ends cf the cans issuing from the and cf the chute at tl1e first loading Station. As the cans are urged outwarclly into the carton the upper edge of the can engages the undersurface of the blade 246 and rotates the latter both toward tl1e horizontal Position and bodily in a clockwise direction about the axis of the post 254 to move tne edge of the blacle under the acljacent surface of the top Wall of the carton. This action raises the top carton panel sufficiently to permit the can to slide smoothly under the blade and under the top ca1ton panel. As the carton passs the loading station the corner cf the carton cams tl1e blade out of the way and the blade is automatically pivoted to its normal nearly vertical position for engagement by the next succeeding can. An identical blade arrangement is provided at Lhe second loading station. It has been found in practice that a similar assembly is not necessary at the thiid loading station because of tl1e slight upward bowing of the top carton panel caused by the two blades at the first loading station and by the presence of four cans within the ton pa nel into locking engagement. which has been omitted from Figure l1 for clarity, comv c;arton at this loading station.. After the cartons are fully loaded and pass by the wheel 240 they are delivered to the mechanism 32 which moves the upper and lower locking tabs and the finger grip tabs to operative position. This mechanism will now be described with particular reference to Figures 9, 10 and 11.

The mechanism for moving the finger grip tabs into operative position comprises two sets of plungers 262 and 264 slidably mounted in bores 266 in support members 268. The plungers 262 and 264 are urged to their extended positions by springs 270. The members 268 are non-rotatably secured to a shaft 272 in turn nonrotatably supported at its opposite ends in crank arms 274 and 276. The crank arm 274 is non-rotatably secured to one end of a stub shaft 278 the opposite end of which is rotatably journalled in a bete 280 of a circular plate 282, the outer end of the shaft 278 being provided with a locking cap member 284. The crank arm 276 is nonrotatably secured to a stub shaft 286 rotatably journalled in a bore 288 formed in a second circular plate 290. A pinion 292 is non-rotatably secured to the portion cf the shaft 286 which projects through the plate 290 and is in mesh with an idler gear 294 rotatably journalled on a shaft 296 also mounted on the plate 290. The

idler gear 294 is in constant mesh with a sun gear 298 non-rotatably secured to a sleeve 300 mounted on the drive shaft 302 in suitable bearings 304 and 306 mounted respectively on side plates 308 and 310 secured to the main machine frame. The plungers 264 are mounted by an ident.ical construction supported on stub shafts 312 .and 314 journalled in the plates 282 and 290 at points diametrically opposite the stnb shafts 278 and 286. A

.pinion 316 is mounted on the stub shaft 314 and is in engagement with an idler gear 318 which meshes with and the drive chains are enclosed by a housing 326 emitted from Figures 10 and 11 for clarity. The sprocket 324 is driven in timed relation with the rernaining components of the carton erecting and can feeding and loading mechanism by conventional apparatus. As the shaft 302 rotates carrying the plates 282 and 290 the plungers 262 and 264 are also carried around the axis of the shaft 302 and because of the arrangement. of the gear train the plungers 262 and 264 remain exactly vertical as shown in Figure 11 as long the sun gear 298 is held stationary. The sun gear is normally held in the position shown by a handle 327 secured to the sleeve 300.

A detent mechanism 329 is provided to hold the handle against movement. However, if the plungers 262 and 264 jam or if it is desired to take the plungers out of operation, the handle is moved upwardly from the posi- .c art tm the fingers 262 and 264 move at substantially -I the same speed and in the same direction as the advanc- I i-ng carton.

The mechanisrn 32 also includes apparatus for automatically moving the end locking tabs in the upper carprises fur identical assemblies one being mounted on each of the stub shafts 278, 286, 312 and 314. Bach oi these meehanisms eomprises a locking blade 328 This mechanism,

pivotally mounted by a -in 330 ona projeetion 332 formed integrally With a collar 334 non-rotatably secured to the respective stub shafts. The blades 328 are biased to the osition shown by springs 336 the opposite ends of which are secured to the projecting ends of the pin 330 and the central portion of which engages the blade 328 below the pivot axis. As the shaft 302 is 1otated the blades 328 push the locking tabs at the opposite ends of the cartons vertically downward and this action is usually suificient to move the tabs into locking engagement. However to assure positive locking of the tabs rollers 338 and 340 are interposed in a path of the rear edges of the blades 328 and as the blades pass the rollers they are moved inwardly to the position shown in the lower portion of Figure 10 from the normal position shown in the upper portion cf Figure 10. The rollers 338 and 340 are suitably mounted on shafts 342 and 344 m0unted in brackets 346 and 348, respectively, secured to the side members 308 and 310.

The lower locking tabs 64 and 66 are moved into locking position by fingers 350 mouhted on support members 352 rigid with collars 354 which are non-ro tatably secured to a drive shaft 356. The drive shaft 356 is mounted by suitable bearings 358 and is driven in timed relation withthe remaining components .of the apparatus by a chain 360 driven by the sprocket 324 and driving the sprocket 362 which is non-rotatably secured to the shaft 356. Again the mechanism is so proportioned that during the period of engagement of the .fin-

gers 350 and the bottom Wall of the carton the fingers are moved in the same direction and at the same speed as the carton to assure smooth operation and to prevent damage to the carton.

The packaging apparatus thus far described includes conventional safety devices. F01 example, safe'ty switches 364, 366, 368, 370 and 372 are connected in series with the drive motor. The switches 364, 366 and 368 are provided with feeders 373 which ride over the tops of the can rows so the switches are opened if one cf the rows is not full.

The switch 370 is actuated by a feeder 374 which rides over the tops of the remaining cartons and is thus opened if the carton line is not full. The switch 372 is normally held closed by an arm 376 in contact with the lever 327 when the latter occupies its normal position.

It will be understood that additional switches, clutches, and overload release devices may also be used if desired.

Figure 12, to which detailed reference will now be made, discloses a modified form of the invention in which the cans are loaded through the opposite ends of the carton. The carton magazine, the carton erecting and feeding mechanism, the main can metering mechanism, and the mechanism for locking the caxton tabs used in the apparatus of Figure 12 are preferably identical wifl1 the corresponding components of the apparatus of Figures 1 through 11 and accordingly have been omitted from Fignre 12 for clarity.

The modified apparatus of Figure 12 provides loading apparatus at the opposite ends of the carton, the loading apparatus being substantially identical with the loading apparatus provided at one end of the carton in the abovedescribed embodiment. Thus, six can chute assemblies 380, 381, 382, 383, 384 and 385 load from identical can metering and dividing mechanisms not shown to points adjacent the opposite sides of the three loading stations. Respective upper and lower sets of feed wheels 386-391 are provided in the respective chutes 380385, only the upper wheels being shown in each case. Since each of the wheel sets loads only one can into the carton, the wheels are each provided with a single can pocket and are rotated by conventional drive means not shown at the same speed as the main metering wheels. Alternately the wheels may he provided with additional pockets and rotated at correspondingly reduced speed. While the wheel's of each set are angularly ofiset frm the wheels of the 0ther sets in a unique manner to load the carton as follows.

The cans loaded by the respective wheel sets 386, 388 and 390 are designated C C and C while alle cans loaded by the respective wheel sets 387, 389 and 391 are designated C C and C. The feeding wheels 387 located in tl1e ahnte 381 are timed slightly in advance of the feed wheels 386 in the chute 380 so the former load the can C adjacent the leading zarten side Wall while the latter dispose the can C adjacent the trailing earton sicle Wall as shown at L in Figure 12. Tl1e wheels 388 in the chute 382 are timed slightly in advance of wheels 389 in the chute 383 whereby tl1e respective feed wheels dispose the second cans C and C adjacent the leading and trailing carton side walls to dispose tl1e four cans in the carton as shown at L. The first cans are moved smoothly inwardly of tl1e carton when the second cans are loaded. The previously described blade assemblies 246 are provided acljacent the outlets of the chntes 380, 381, 382 and 383 to facilitate the loading of the containers at the first and second loading sta'tions.

The feed wheel sei 391 at the third loading station is timed slightly in advance of the opposite feed wheel set 390 so that the immer loads can C into the carton adjacent the leading carton side Wall while the latter loads the final can C int0 the carton adjacent the tralling carton sicle wall. Accordingly when the carton leaves the third lozrding station, the six cans are disposed in the carton as shown at L the cans being arranged in two rows of three each, the cans of one row being olfset with respect the cans of the other' row longitudinally 013 tl1e caxton.

Since the cans C and C project from the opposite ends of the carton, the mechanism for moving the cans into their final loaded position in Which the cans are in side-hy-side relation is slightly different from the corre sponding mechanism of the previously described embodiment. In the mechanism of Figure 12, the final loading is performed in two stages. In the first stage the carton is passed from the third loading station opposite a Teilen faced back up strip 394 rigidly mounted on the machine frame. The back up strip assembly 394 which is located substantially midway of the height of the cans is provided with a smoothly curved entrance portion 396 and a final straight Portion 398. As the carton passes the entrance portion 396 cf the back up strip, the projecting can C is cammed smoothly into the carton. Because of tl1e dimensional relation between tl1e cans and the carton, all cf the cans may be shifted slightly toward the opposite end of the carton while maintaining the Offset relationship. This operation disposes the cans in the carton in the same position as the cans leaving the third loading station of the embodiment of Fignres 1 through 12. Thereafter the loaded carton is passed opposite the aligning wheel 240, the rubber rlm 244 of which smoothly rolls the cans into side-by-side relation in the manner descri'ned in connection with the embocliment of Figures 1 through 11 thus concluding the loading operation.

If desired, a second aligning wheel similar to the wheel 240 may be substituted for the back up strip 294. Also if desired opposite feed wheels may be provided at any or all of the stations in the apparatns of Figure 12 in accordance with the arrangement at the outlet end of Lhe chute 194 cf Figure 2.

The invention may be embodiecl in o'ther specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considerecl in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by tl1e appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is clzlimed and desirecl to bes Secutd l5y United States Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for moving a plurality of co'ntaifi'ets positioned in staggered relation in a carton into aligned relation, one of said containers projecting out of one end of said carton, comprising means for moving said carton past an aligning station, a roll having a peripheral ortion disposed in the path of said uns: of said C011- tainers, means for rotating said roll to move its peripheral container contacting portion in the direction of movement ot said cartons and at a speecl greater than the speecl of said cartons to urge said one container and the containers behind said one container into said carton with a rolling action, and means for retaining said sontainers against passage out of the oppositeend of said carton.

2. Apparatus for loading six cans in an open ended sleeve carton to dispose said cans in two rows, the c'ans 0f one row being directly opposite the cans of the other row, and the height and width of said carton being lass than the height and width cf the group of cans loaded therein comprising, means for moving a series of erected cartons along a pr.:determined path past three loading stations and an aligning station, means for urg'ing two of said cans into said carton at each of said loading stations in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis of said carton whereby the forwarcl motion of said carton disposes said cans in staggered relation in said carton, the last-loaded can projecting out of the end of said carton, means at certain of said loading stations actnated by movement 0f said cans toward said carto'ns to raise the top panel of said cartons to permit the entry of said cans into said carton, a toller at said aligning station having a peripheral portion disposed in the path of said last-loaded can to urge said can into said carton, and means for retaining said 'cans against assage out of the opposite end of said carton.

3. Apparatus for depressing tab formations norxhally disposed in the plane of the top or bottom Wall panels of a carton comprising, means for moving a series of cartons past an operating station at a predetermined constant speed, plungers for depressing each of said tab formatlons, shafts rotatably mounted in support 1mmbers and carrying said plungers, means for rotating said support members to move said plungers into and out of contact with said tab formations and for moving said plungers in the direction of motion of said cartons substantially at the speed of said cartons, and means for maintaining said plungers in a substantially vertical position throughout their range of movement.

4. Apparatus for loading six cylindrical cans or like containers into open ended sleeve cartons at three loa'ding stations comprising, means for transporting a series o1 erected cartons past said loading stations, three coutainer delivery chutes leading to one side of the respective loadlng stations, three additional container loading stations, each of said delivery chutes having a terminal portion substantially normal to tl1e line of moveernent of said cartons past said loading stations and terminatiflg at points closely adjacent the line of movernent of the ends cf the carton, means for feeding said containers into said chutes, means adjacent each of said loading stations for moving one container through the end portion of the adjacent chute into said carton and disposing said containers in said carton in staggered relation, the last loaded container projecting out of the end cf said carton, and means disposed in the path of said last-loaded container in the further movement cf said carton for nrging said last-loaded container into said carton to complete the loading operation.

5. Apparatus for loading six cylindrical cans or like containers into pre-fastened open-ended cartons at ihres loading stations, the height of said cartons being le'ss than the height of said containers and the width of said cartons being lass than twi :ethe width cf said ciu tair1ers c'm1arising 1'neuis for transpofling a series of erected cartons past said loading stations, container delivery chutes leading to each of said loading stations and having end portions angularly related to the line cf movement of said cartons, said and portions terminating at points closely adjacent the line of movement of the ends of the cartons as they pass said loading stations, means for feeding said containers into said chutes, feed Wheels adjacent each of said loading stations for engaging and positively moving two of said containers through said and portion of said chute into said cartons as the end of said cartons pass the loading station whereby the containers are disposed in said carton in staggered relation, the last-loaded container projecting out of the and cf said carton, means at certain of said loading stations actuated by movement cf said containers toward said cartons to raise the top panel of said cartons to permit the entry of said containers into said cartons, and means disposed in the path of the last-loaded coutainer in the further mdvement of said carton for urging said last-loaded container into said carton to complete the loading operation.

6. Apparatus for loading six cylindrical cans or like containers into pre-fastened open-ended cartons at three loading stations, the height of said cartons being less than the height of said containers and the Width of said cartons being less than twice the width of said containers, said cartons having tab formations normally disposed in the plane of the top or bottom Wall carton panel comprising means for transporting a series of erected cartons past said loading stations, container delivery chutes leading to each cf said loading stations and having end portions angularly related to the 1ine of movement of said cartons, said end portions terminating at points closely adjacent the line of movement cf the ends of the cartons as they pass said loading stations, means for feeding said containers into said chutes, feed means adjacent each of said loading stations having containerengaging portions for positively moving two of said coutainers through said end portion of said chute into said cartons as the end of said cartons pass the loading station whereby the containers are disposed in said carton in staggered relation, the last-loaded container projecting out of the and of said carton, means at certain of said loading stations actuated by movement of said containers toward said cartons to raise the top panel of said cartons to permit the entry of said containers into said cartons, means disposed in the path of the last-loaded coutainer in the further movement cf said carton for urging said last-loaded container into said carton to complete the loading operation, plungers for depressing each of said tab formations, shafts rotatably mounted in support members and carrying said plungers, means for rotating said support members to move said plungers into and out of contact with said tab fonnations and for moving said plungers in the direction of motion of said cartons substantially at the speed of said cartons, and means for maintaining said plungers in a substantially vertical position throughout their range of movement.

7. Apparatus for loading a plurality of cylindrical cans or like containers into open-ended pre-fastened cartons at a plurality of loading stations comprising, means for transporting a series cf erected cartons past said loading stations, container delivery chutes leading to each of said loading stations and having end portions angularly related to the line of movement of said cartons,

said and portions terminating at points closely adjacent the line of movement of the ends of the cartons as they pass said loading stations, means for feeding said coutainers into said chutes, container-engaging feed wheels at each of said loading stations for positively moving a predetermined number of said containers through said end Portion of said chute into said carton and disposing said containers into said carton in staggered relation, the last-loaded container projecting out of the end cf said carton, and rotatable means disposed in the path of said last-loaded container in the further movement of said carton for rotating said last-loaded container to move said last-loaded container into said carton to complete the loading operation.

8. Apparatus for depressing tab formations normally disposed in the plane of the top er bottom Wall panels of a carton comprising means for moving a series of cartons past an operating station at a predetermined coustant speed, plungers for depressing each of said tab formations, shafts carrying said plungers, support members rotatably carrying said shafts adjacent the ends of the latter, means rotating said support membets to move said plungers into and out of contact with said tab formations and for moving said plungers in the direction of motion of said cartons substantially at the speed of said cartons, cooperating gears on said support members and said shafts operable upon rotation of said support members to maintain said plungers in a substantially vertical position throughout their range of movement.

9. The combination according claim 8 together with manually operable means for selectively angularly shifting said shafts to maintain said plungers out of contact with the cartons throughout thei: range of movement.

10. Apparatus for loading six cylindrical cans or like containers into open ended pre-fastened cartons at three loading stations comprising means for transporting a series of erected cartons past said loading stations, separate coutainer delivery chutes leading to each of said three loading stations and having end portions angularly related to the line of movement of said cartons, said end portions terminating at points closely adjacent the line of movement of the ends of the cartons as they pass said loading stations, means for feeding said containers into said chutes, container-engaging feed wheels at each of said loading stations for positively moving two of said coutainers through said end portion of said chute into said carton while said carton is in motion to dispose said coutainers in said carton in staggered relation, the last-loaded container projecting out of the end of said carton, and rotatable means disposed in the path of said last-loaded container in the further movement of said carton for rotating said last-loaded container to move said lastloaded container into said carton to complete the loading operation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 709,502 Munson Sept. 23, 1902 1219,427 Beckmann Mar. 20, 1917 1514633 Schmidt Nov. 11, 1924 1,699,677 Sampson Jan. 22, 1929 2662,356 Swafiord Dec. 15, 1953 2685993 Currivan Aug. 10, 1954 2,728177 Holstebroe et a1. Dec. 27, 1955 2809486 Gentry Oct. 15, 1957 

